Autoclave

From Protists

Models of Autoclaves

Steris SG-120 (New one)

Old one

1. Place items to be sterilized into a stainless steel or autoclave-safe plastic tray.

2. Place trays in autoclave.

3. Close door and turn wheel until hard to turn. The display will indicate that the door is open, but even when the display goes away, continue tightening.

4. Select one of the four options on the display (numbers 1-4). Press number button one time to see what the temp. and times are.

5. Once you know which #, press the # button again (select same # button twice).

6. Once inside the chamber pressure is at zero, the diplay will tell you to "Warning, Hot liquids. Open door 1"; Wait 10 min."

7. Carefully close any liquid-containing objects, then remove tray and hit the "RESET" button so you don't have to wait 10 minutes and it is ready to go for the next user.

Types of Runs

• Gravity (Dry)
• Liquid

Safety

REMEMBER: When you autoclave, make sure that you leave all caps or coverings slightly unscrewed or loosened so that pressure won't build up inside the tubes or bottles. When finished autoclaving, immediately tighten all caps/covers to prevent contamination. However, DO NOT overtighten or we will not be able to loosen the cap later when it is cooled (if this happens, leave stuck-shut glassware in the transfer hood while working with the flame on for awhile and it should warm up a little to make it easier to loosen). If you forget to loosen your caps, your glassware will explode and break the autoclave. The same goes for anything with aluminum foil...don't tighten it until it has finished autoclaving.

If anything happens while you are working with the autoclave or if you go to use one and notice it is malfunctioning, ask other people in labs by the autoclave or other members of our lab for help. If there is a bad message, then write it down and ask Kathy Vinson in the Cellular Biology Office (room 724) to contact the autoclave repairman and relay the message to him.